Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I have long fought for the highest quality health care for our veterans and accountability, and I applaud Chairman Miller for bringing H.R. 5620 to the floor for a vote. It is long overdue. This will not only provide greater options for veterans going through the VA's broken appeals process, but it also makes vital reforms to the Department's employee performance policies. This is commonsense legislation. It will improve outcomes for veterans in my home State of Louisiana, where the VA has a long history of very poor performance. The bill's provisions will make it easier for the VA Secretary to fire, demote, and recoup bonuses from employees who don't do their job. Veterans in Louisiana have dealt with the VA's ineffective bureaucracy--and, in some cases, downright wrongdoing--for far too long. We desperately need more stringent accountability measures in place for the agency charged with caring for America's veterans. This has gone on far too long. Chairman Miller and I have fought with others for a very long time to do the very best for our veterans. Enough is enough. Enough is enough. It is time for a change. It is time for true accountability. I am proud to stand with Chairman Miller and others to support this legislation, and I urge all my colleagues to support it. It is urgently needed.”